New data released by the European Commission for 2023 reveals the countries that are easiest to obtain a Schengen visa from and those that are most difficult.
The EU reported that a total 10 327 572 applications for Schengen visas had been received and the rejection rate had decreased from 17,9% in 2022 to 16% in 2023. The Schengen country with the highest rejection rate was France, with 26,7% of visas being rejected, however it also received the most interest from visitors, with 2 625 846 applications.
France was followed by Spain, with 15,3% of visas rejected, while Germany denied visas to 12,7% of applicants. The Netherlands saw a jump of 61,9% more rejections compared with 2022. Greece also rejected significantly more visas in 2023 – 61,5% more than the previous year.
The average acceptance rate for visas to the Schengen Area in 2023 was 84%. Iceland, Switzerland and Latvia experienced the highest approval rates in the region. Iceland’s approval rate for 2023 was 97,8%, while Switzerland and Latvia followed closely with 89,3% and 88,3%, respectively.
The number of South Africans applying for Schengen visas increased by 23% (38 328 more applicants) compared with 2022. This number is still behind 2019 numbers by about 10%. The rejection rate for South Africans’ applications dropped slightly last year, from 5,3% in 2022 to 4,8% in 2023.
South Africa maintained its rank in the 12th position on the list of countries applying for Schengen visas in 2023. China took the top spot, with 1 117 365 applications submitted in 2023, climbing from the 22nd place in 2022.
